Hey I made it home.

On Monday I did 740 miles in 93 degree heat with a heat index near 100. I was not only exhausted, but my rear was on fire. I hate that monkey butt feeling. The day was just a ride straight and get through Chicago without incident. I'll just say that some of the most life threatening drivers I have encountered were these last two days in Illinois, Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo. I'm talking criminal in their driving. But I survived them.

Tuesday was much the same, and I just rode with the goal of getting home. I put on a pair of LD Comfort shorts and that eliminated the bunching of sweaty undershorts I was suffering with on Monday. Still by the end of the day I was getting sore again. I put down 588 miles to get home. For the trip I logged 13448 miles in 39 days an average of 345 miles a day. I slept very well last night as well as the night before. It'll take a few days for me to get back to normal. I lost about 4 lbs on the trip, unfortunately none seems to be from my belly.

I am not ending this blog here. I will be posting more items from my trip as I remember them. I wanted to talk about some of my favorite riding, which is in the early morning. Everything seems so peaceful and quiet. My early morning start on Sunday through the wilds of WY into SD was very nice. I had a similar ride two years ago with my brother-in-law Rod, and Big Jim when we left Pace, AZ for CO. No traffic, and this great feeling of peace. I like those rides.

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I would like to thank Rene' for her understanding of my adventure needs, to Ken for his encouragement, and dirt lessons. To Tim and Jason for their hospitality at the rally. To Dave and Bill for their dirt riding advice and Alaska advice. To my neighbors for looking out after our home, and helping Rene' when see needed it. To Kristen and Jimmy for watching our little monster 8 month Golden Retriever. A special thanks to Fred and Judy who walked Lucy, our puppy, every day twice while I was away. To the good lord who kept me healthy and safe during this trip.

While at the rally I met someone who was at Jason's trailer. I am ashamed to say I don't remember his name, but I can't help but think of him regularly. He announced he was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. I told him my mom had ALS, and he wanted to find out more. He asked if she was still alive, and I told him no, she had died some time ago. I could tell he was uncertain about what to expect, and his eyes showed he was scared. He wanted to know how long she lived after learning of her disease, and I told him about two years. He believes he has had it about a year now. He was trying to be brave about it, but he is scared. I told him to make the best of his time, and to spend much time with family, and if there was something he really wanted to do, to do it. He agreed, and said he was trying to spend more time with his family. My heart and prayers go out to him. He will die a painless, but agonizing death none the less in maybe a year or two. Long before his time should be up. This is why I try to do all that I can, while I can. This is why you should try to do all you can. Get to the places you want to go to, and do the things you want to do, now, when it can be enjoyed for what it is. Fulfilling a dream or a goal, not because it is your last hooray. How enjoyable really would it be?